Kidnap: The Story of the Lindbergh Case

by George Waller

a brilliant and absorbing recreation of one of the most terrible of criminal cases...An enthralling and masterly record of what one can find in human behavior at its worst.

Genres: History, True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

597 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1961

Reviews

[Athena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little disappointing. I can't believe what a mess it became. I liked the suspense in regards to examining the evidence and determining who did it, but in the meantime the incompetence and meddling became absolutely ridiculous. I understand Lindbergh wanted his child back, but four different men were in contact with the kidnap gang?? I'm still not sure if Bruno Hauptmann was the kidnapper, but I lean towards the fact that he was. Reading the book it seemed as though the evidence lead straight to him, especially when they found a gold bill with the numbers matching the ransom money turned up at a gas station from a man who was driving the car that fit the description that the most witnesses saw. I understand he was trying to blame his friend Fisch, but if he was really sick, practically dying then I don't see how he would've bothered. At moments this book got tedious and redundant.

[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of many books owned by my paternal grandmother which I read for want of other entertainments while spending the summer with her, Mother and little brother Fin Einar at her cottage near the lake in southwest Michigan. What was most memorable about the book was that the man convicted and executed for the kidnapping, Bruno Richard Hauptman (1899-1936), may not have been guilty. This may have had considerable influence on my early opposition to the death penalty.

[Dawn Huffines medley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very good. The beginning of the book went very fast but then the middle of the book where they were looking for the kidnapper. Plus the trail I'm think it could've been a little less information. I can see the impotence of saying who the people were but it was like to much. Then the end of the book once he's found guilty and about the appeal went fast to it was not as detailed. After reading this book I'm thinking its a possibility that this case has never been solved. There was people who tried to speak on behalf of Richard Bruno Hamputon. I'm thinking he very well may have been innocent. But it's something we will never know.

[Ned Ryerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Lindbergh book. This one got passed around a group of friends. We all signed the inside cover to commemorate the event. This book is totally old school. It thinks that Hauptmann did it. Ahhh, the innocence of the past...so naive.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I was a kid, I'd seen this book on my father's shelf. Finally got around to grabbing it. Very good book and an unbelieveable difference in the way crimes are investigated now versus 1932. Amazing story. Probably executed the wrong man....

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting, but about 200 pages too long.

[Val Robson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of the kidnap of world famous aviator amd military officer, Charles Lindberg's, twenty month old son. This book is incredibly detailed and could have benefitted from being half as long - 300 pages instead of 600 - but even so I was gripped by the story as I wasn't really aware of the kidnap or subsequent search for the kidnapper(s). The first 250 pages were the best as they followed the kidnap itself on 1st March 1932 in New Jersey, USA and then the two and a half year search for those responsible.

The stories of third parties who got themselves involved in the search and negotiations with the kidnappers was quite gripping and fascinating as to why some of those people behaved as they did and the many red herrings that were happening. Considering this is almost a century ago there are some aspects of what we would now call forensic science that are wholly impressive, especially Arthur Koehler's contribution as an expert in wood. His level of scientific skill, detail and determination to find where crucial pieces of wood were initially milled and sold was hugely impressive. Other aspects of the forensic science were hugely disappointing and maybe quite common at the time, such as the lack of recording of basic things at the crime scene such as footprints and fingerprints.

The last 350 pages cover court cases. This made for tedious reading as it felt like every word of weeks of court cases were written down.

While a person was tried and found guilty I am still left wondering if if was 'beyond reasonable doubt' and Googling the subject in 2025 shows me that this case is still not 100% certain as to who the criminals were. I was rather hoping that someone involved might have left a deathbed letter but it seems the world is no more the wiser or certain about the court case outcomes in the 1930s in 2025 than they were then.

A hugely impressive tome which must have taken years to research and write. It very evocative of the era. I was also struck by how intrusive the press and what we now call paparazzi were in the 1930s America. Seemingly as bad a now. Somewhat amusingly the Lindbergh family moved to the UK where the press and public gave them privacy. If only we could say the same in 2025.

[Elizabeth Raines · Rating 3 out of 5]

First and foremost, true crime is not a genre that I gravitate towards. This book was a gift and I am willing to give any genre a go! ‘Kidnap’ started out strong. The writing style begins as narrative nonfiction really immersing you into the story. The sections of the crime and investigation were fascinating and intriguing. Theories were constantly changing.

Once the investigators think they have caught the suspect we then go into the longest part of the book, the trial. I am someone that courtroom scenes typically go over my head. That stayed true here. The writing style suddenly changed for this section. The pacing was no longer fast but slow. It went from a narrative style to tedious dialogue. These chapters in this section would go on for thirty pages, again, it was tedious and confusing. I would get lost in the dialogue. That being said, I dreaded picking up the book at this stage. The majority of the book I was dreading.

I do think this case was what laid the stones on how kidnapping and missing persons cases are now handled in the modern age. At this later date, it is so easy to see where things went wrong. It seems as though a lot was learned from the handling of the case of the Linbergh baby to help children and families in the present and future. I do not strongly recommend this book but this isn’t typically my kind of story.

2.5 out of five stars.

[Robert R. Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Kidnap" is a good read. Unfortunately, it lacks an Index.

[Janie Wallick]

Found it hard to read and a bit boring... I am assuming most of the book is the trial, not the "who done it?" element.

[Sarah Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book was a fascinating read, and I learned so much throughout that I can still recall today (I finished it last year). George Waller captured all the characters' voices and emotions with invesigative accuracy. I loved the writing style as well: it was straightforward, but still appealed to readers' pathos. It was definitely a dense subject that covered many aspects of 1930s society: the rise of the paparazzi, the obsession with the affluent, the xenophobia towards immigrants, and the repercussions of kidnaping.

It is so interesting how despite the justice inflicted upon Bruno Hauptmann (yes, he is guilty in my opinion), there were others that got away with murder. I find it extremely hard to believe that Hauptmann did this all on his own; additionally, wasn't there a phone call where the detective and Lindbergh heard TWO men talking? Also, there was that lady at the bakery who ran off when the person at the cash register identified her money as Lindbergh bills. If only they had caught everyone associated with the crime!

Loved this book, this is what got me obsessed with the subject. Going to do a research paper on it, and I'm excited to re-scan its pages. :)

[Cindylou · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of the Lindbergh kidnapping. For those who think Hauptmann did NOT do it,remember that despite constantly protesting his innocence, acting as if he were pure as the driven snow, how did thousands in ransom money get in his garage? And he was identified as "passing" bills in the classic manner, by making petty purchases and paying with large bills to get "clean" money. And making many deposits in his bank account with small bills and large quantities of coins, the fruit of his "laundering". Really sounds like an innocent guy! And if someone else was involved, what did they do with their share? Use it for toilet paper? After Hauptmann was arrested the steady flow of ransom bills stopped;only a few odd bill surfaced in later years. And since by then all gold certificates were being sent to Washington for removal from circulation, the Treasury was checking each one to see if it was a ransom note. About $30,000 is still unaccounted for;probably Hauptmann buried the rest. He was seen in a wooded area near his house.

[Alan Buick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book a long time ago; over 50 years ago! Although it may make heavy reading for some it did have a lasting impact on me. Certain aspects of that terrible deed are still quite clear in my memory. eg. this was the first case in history that Forensic Science was the key to convicting a murderer. Great book!

[Dee Hanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book when I was maybe 11, my parents believed I should be able to read any book I wanted. I think this book started my crime spree readings... I look true crime books - not to do it myself, but for some reason it is almost better to read real crime than any made up one.

[John Marr · Rating 3 out of 5]

The decent, standard treatment of the "Crime of the Century," since supercede by Fisher's even more extensive book.

[Jaye]

I read this book when I was in fifth grade. It captivated and horrified me.

I wonder what it would be like to read now, as an adult.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy read and interesting

[Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written. It kept me mostly interested although there were parts I found tedious. Overall a good book.